A parish priest has stood down from his role at a primary school after his nephew’s sex abuse victims called for him to go.

Monsignor John Shine, 91, resigned as chairperson of the Board of Management of Holy Cross National School, Tramore, Co Waterford today.

In a statement issued by the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore on his behalf he said: “I have made my decision bearing in mind the wishes, and indeed the distress, of the victims of my nephew Bill Kenneally.”

Monsignor Shine said: “When I am in a position to do so, I would very much wish to meet with the victims to hear their views, and to share with them all that I know of events of the past.

“It is my deep hope that I may be reconciled with them in their immense suffering.”

He also says that he has been “housebound for the last three months” due to a serious illness.

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Bill Kenneally is currently appealing his 14 year sentence for abusing 10 boys in the 1980s.

Victims are calling for an Commission of Investigation into who knew about the abuse and “turned a blind eye”.

They claim that members of An Garda Siochana, Fianna Fail, the Catholic Church and the South Eastern Health Board all knew about it.

The men, now aged in their forties, have met with the Justice Minister to discuss their concerns.

They allege the Monsignor knew from at least 2002 that his nephew had abused at least one boy, but did nothing.

Last week five victims wrote to the Pope calling for his resignation.

Victim Colin Power told the Sunday Mirror: “The role of a board of management is to safeguard children from awful things like this. You can’t have a man who knew his nephew was a paedophile and did nothing in a position like this in a primary school.”

Mr Power added: “I do welcome his resignation. In my opinion he’s done the right thing resigning. It’s just a pity he didn’t do it sooner.